Presidential Firsts

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I found it interesting in reading this piece that these were actual firsts for the presidential position in its entirety. Interesting. Richard Nixon was the first president to visit all 50 states. Clinton, H.W.Bush, and Barack Obama also visited each of the states. William Henry Harrison was the first to be photographed while in office. Only one copy survives and resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The original was lost. Herbert Hoover was the first president to have a phone in his office. The 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes had one installed in the "telegraph room" in the White House in 1877 but Hoover was the first to have on in the Oval Office. William Howard was first to own a car. Congress authorized $12,000 for the 27th president to have two cars at the White House. Congress's decision to do this was not a popular one because most of America felt the car was just a fad at that time. Gerald Ford was the first president to appear on Saturday Night Live in April 1976. He was the first to be impersonated on the show as well. He delivered the signature "Live from New York" line.